As the countdown to the London Olympics and the finale of Victoria Pendleton’s glittering career nears its conclusion, Wilmslow’s track queen has been baring her soul.

A BBC documentary screened on Wednesday revealed how she fell out of favour with her fellow GB cyclists and that winning gold in Beijing four years ago left her drained and saddened.

Her relationship with sports scientist Scott Gardner, who she plans to marry after the Games, meant he had to leave the British cycling ranks.

The 31-year-old sprint champion – who will call time on her career after this summer – remembers in Cycling’s Golden Girl how she felt she had betrayed her fellow riders, who resented the fact that they were no longer able to benefit from Gardner’s expertise.

"Everyone was so angry because it was so unprofessional," she said. "They thought we were a disgrace and had betrayed everybody.

"But there are no tears now, I want it to be the most amazing exit I could possibly have."